Duncan and Chelsea
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Duncan has global development delay, an intellectual disability and suspected fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Duncan has been in protective care for several years and is now in his mid-teens. A few years ago, Chelsea and her partner applied to be Duncan’s foster carers.
Chelsea told the Royal Commission that the state government child safety department didn’t tell them about Duncan’s disabilities.
‘[The department] did not disclose his disability to us or provide the medical documentation that we were asking for, and systemically delayed his NDIS application.’
Duncan’s previous care provider also told them he had ‘no underlying issues except trauma and that in the right environment he would thrive’.
Chelsea said that when they applied to be foster carers, she and her partner made it clear that, because of their jobs, they didn’t have the capacity to care for a child with disabilities.
It was only when Chelsea contacted Duncan’s former school that she was told he had an intellectual disability. When she applied for Duncan’s medical records to support an NDIS plan, she discovered his ‘extensive history of medical and intellectual issues’.
Chelsea said the child safety department was slow in providing assessments and documents to support Duncan’s NDIS application. Despite being aware of Duncan’s disabilities for several years, the department had not given him the occupational therapy, psychology or speech pathology supports he needed.
‘Duncan did not receive the support that he was entitled to,’ Chelsea said. ‘Because early intervention has a cumulative effect, this negligent care will impact this vulnerable young person in an ongoing way.’
Chelsea said it was only through her ‘capacity to navigate complex systems’ that she was able to ‘secure a good outcome’ for Duncan. With help, Duncan can now read fluently.
‘Many foster carers just do not have the time, resources or capacities to navigate an opaque and dysfunctional child protection system.’
Chelsea said child safety staff appeared to have ‘an extremely low knowledge of disability, the disability sector and the NDIS’.
‘[The department] needs to clearly and accurately declare the needs of children going into foster placements.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.